Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt
TrailLocation: Massapequa to Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Length: 20 miles
Date of hike: May 28, 2016
The Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail is a 20-mile trail that runs north to south (or south to north) between the Massapequa Preserve and Cold Spring Harbor State Park. It also cuts through a handful of other parks and preserves, which we'll get to later. Two years earlier I hiked its sister trail the Long Island Greenbelt Trail, which was a very rewarding adventure, so I was eager to experience this second greenbelt. The first thing you need to know is that, if you dare, the trail can be hiked in a single day. Just expect to have achy feet for a day or two (or three) afterwards.
Before setting out, I learned everything I could about the Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail. First, I obtained a detailed trail map through the Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference's website, which described the epic trail as having steep hills, old fields and quiet wetlands that offer "surprising diversity." I also learned the trail was completed in 1986 and granted National Recreation Trail status in 1992, according to the website Fastestknowntime.com. "[The Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail] preserves a narrow corridor of open land in a densely populated area from Cold Spring Harbor to Massapequa," the site stated. "While this trail doesn't offer anything remotely resembling a 'wilderness experience,' its incredibly diverse flora and fauna make up for that lack of isolation." Meanwhile, the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference contends the trail's terrain, which is situated on the Harbor Hill Moraine, could make it "the most challenging hike on Long Island." "Most hiking trails are flat on Long Island, or nearly so," the conference's website said. "This is a notable exception."
On the day of the hike I set my alarm for 6:15 a.m., and after a hearty breakfast and shower, I found myself at the Massapequa trailhead by 7:30 a.m. There is no designated parking lot for the path, so I parallel parked on Lake Court, which is a block from the southern trailhead near the intersection of Merrick Road and Ocean Avenue. Then, I found the first white blaze along the border of the Peter J. Schmitt Massapequa Preserve, which contains the county's largest single acquisition of New York City watershed property. The path's opening section spans several miles through the preserve to the Southern State Parkway. It was probably my favorite part of the entire Nassau-Suffolk trail, since the preserve's watershed attracts dozens of bird species. "The portion of the trail that runs from Merrick Road to Southern State Parkway is a special treat during the spring and fall migrations," the trail map said.
Next, the path skirts the west edge of Bethpage State Park and for a long while parallels the Bethpage State Parkway and Bethpage Bikeway. I must say, the trail was very well-marked and I didn't get lost once, although it could've used more benches for resting. When the trail finally emerged at Jericho Turnpike, I spotted a Stop & Shop and feasted on some junk food and fresh water for about 45 minutes. Then, I eagerly cranked out the remainder of the trail through Trail View State Park, Stillwell Woods Preserve and Cold Spring Harbor State Park – the latter of which is probably the hilliest hike on Long Island. Every passing park offered an assortment of animals. "Quiet or patient hikers may spot a fox in Bethpage State Park, the woods above the Northern State Parkway, or in the Stillwell Woods," said the trail map.
Regarding wildlife, I saw everything from a good old-fashioned frog to a skinny little snake. As for the trail's plant life, it ranged from wood anemones on the southern end to mountain laurel on the northern end. "Autumn colors are best at the north and south ends of the trail and above the Northern State Parkway," the map stated. Other important details about the Nassau-Suffolk trail are that camping is available to thru-hikers at the adjacent Battle Row Campground in Old Bethpage and a loop in the Plainview area offers a connection to the Walt Whitman Trail, according to the Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference's website.
My hike's soundtrack began with Haken's latest album Affinity, which came out last month. It's safe to say I felt a great affinity for this progressive metal masterpiece while on the path, particularly the gorgeous closing track, "Bound by Gravity." But, when I reflect on this trail down the road, I'll always associate it with the final song played by my iPod: Redemption's "Focus." Its introspective lyrics essentially summed up my mindset on this day. I couldn't have chosen a better ending song. My iPod, which was on shuffle, knew what it was doing.
All in all, I'd say the Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail is a tremendous experience for everyone who likes hiking and Long Island. While I probably preferred the Long Island Greenbelt Trail, the Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail is equally enjoyable with its own unique set of elements. Whichever trail you choose, it's worth the achy feet. This pain comes with much pleasure.
The Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail is a 20-mile trail that runs north to south (or south to north) between the Massapequa Preserve and Cold Spring Harbor State Park. It also cuts through a handful of other parks and preserves, which we'll get to later. Two years earlier I hiked its sister trail the Long Island Greenbelt Trail, which was a very rewarding adventure, so I was eager to experience this second greenbelt. The first thing you need to know is that, if you dare, the trail can be hiked in a single day. Just expect to have achy feet for a day or two (or three) afterwards.
Before setting out, I learned everything I could about the Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail. First, I obtained a detailed trail map through the Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference's website, which described the epic trail as having steep hills, old fields and quiet wetlands that offer "surprising diversity." I also learned the trail was completed in 1986 and granted National Recreation Trail status in 1992, according to the website Fastestknowntime.com. "[The Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail] preserves a narrow corridor of open land in a densely populated area from Cold Spring Harbor to Massapequa," the site stated. "While this trail doesn't offer anything remotely resembling a 'wilderness experience,' its incredibly diverse flora and fauna make up for that lack of isolation." Meanwhile, the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference contends the trail's terrain, which is situated on the Harbor Hill Moraine, could make it "the most challenging hike on Long Island." "Most hiking trails are flat on Long Island, or nearly so," the conference's website said. "This is a notable exception."
On the day of the hike I set my alarm for 6:15 a.m., and after a hearty breakfast and shower, I found myself at the Massapequa trailhead by 7:30 a.m. There is no designated parking lot for the path, so I parallel parked on Lake Court, which is a block from the southern trailhead near the intersection of Merrick Road and Ocean Avenue. Then, I found the first white blaze along the border of the Peter J. Schmitt Massapequa Preserve, which contains the county's largest single acquisition of New York City watershed property. The path's opening section spans several miles through the preserve to the Southern State Parkway. It was probably my favorite part of the entire Nassau-Suffolk trail, since the preserve's watershed attracts dozens of bird species. "The portion of the trail that runs from Merrick Road to Southern State Parkway is a special treat during the spring and fall migrations," the trail map said.
Next, the path skirts the west edge of Bethpage State Park and for a long while parallels the Bethpage State Parkway and Bethpage Bikeway. I must say, the trail was very well-marked and I didn't get lost once, although it could've used more benches for resting. When the trail finally emerged at Jericho Turnpike, I spotted a Stop & Shop and feasted on some junk food and fresh water for about 45 minutes. Then, I eagerly cranked out the remainder of the trail through Trail View State Park, Stillwell Woods Preserve and Cold Spring Harbor State Park – the latter of which is probably the hilliest hike on Long Island. Every passing park offered an assortment of animals. "Quiet or patient hikers may spot a fox in Bethpage State Park, the woods above the Northern State Parkway, or in the Stillwell Woods," said the trail map.
Regarding wildlife, I saw everything from a good old-fashioned frog to a skinny little snake. As for the trail's plant life, it ranged from wood anemones on the southern end to mountain laurel on the northern end. "Autumn colors are best at the north and south ends of the trail and above the Northern State Parkway," the map stated. Other important details about the Nassau-Suffolk trail are that camping is available to thru-hikers at the adjacent Battle Row Campground in Old Bethpage and a loop in the Plainview area offers a connection to the Walt Whitman Trail, according to the Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference's website.
My hike's soundtrack began with Haken's latest album Affinity, which came out last month. It's safe to say I felt a great affinity for this progressive metal masterpiece while on the path, particularly the gorgeous closing track, "Bound by Gravity." But, when I reflect on this trail down the road, I'll always associate it with the final song played by my iPod: Redemption's "Focus." Its introspective lyrics essentially summed up my mindset on this day. I couldn't have chosen a better ending song. My iPod, which was on shuffle, knew what it was doing.
All in all, I'd say the Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail is a tremendous experience for everyone who likes hiking and Long Island. While I probably preferred the Long Island Greenbelt Trail, the Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail is equally enjoyable with its own unique set of elements. Whichever trail you choose, it's worth the achy feet. This pain comes with much pleasure.
Map: Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail #1 (Google Maps image)
Map: Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail #2 (Google Maps image)
Parking: 40°40'01.5"N 73°28'14.3"W
Map: Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail #2 (Google Maps image)
Parking: 40°40'01.5"N 73°28'14.3"W
Video: Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail #1 (360-degree view)
Video: Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail #2 (360-degree view)
Video: Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail #2 (360-degree view)
Thanks for the info. Gonna try and hit this Saturday.
ReplyDeleteHi Mike Who Likes to Hike. I am so excited to stumble upon your blog! I am more of an upstate mountains hiking mama but exploring LI State Parks and its trails have been started to being explored little by little when I need a quick and short drive away trail fix. The problem that I run into hiking on LI is worn out trails with many diverted footpaths and lack of maps. Although the cell service shouldn’t be a problem, it is something about looking at the map over google maps on the phone that makes it a more natural/wilderness experience. Here is my favor request. My friend and I who are both Appalachian Thru Hikers from Long Island wanted to thru hike the Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail and the Long Island Greenbelt Trail for awhile. Doing a bit of research we came across your blog! We wanted to see if you would be willing to share your maps with us via email in pdf version, send to us via regular mail as we are in Bellmore/Bethpage area, or pick up to borrow in person. Let us know. You’d save our trip a lot of hassle. Thank you in advance!!! Love, love, love your blog and will be using it to explore LI! -Yuliya aka Kremlin
ReplyDelete